Dea Audia Elsaid, Nur Istiqamah Desiana, Jessie Alisa Rano, Anieq Mumthi'ah Al Kautzar

The Effect of Assertive Communication on the Mental Health of Midwifery Students: A Communication Psychology Perspective

Introduction

The effect of assertive communication on the mental health of midwifery students: a communication psychology perspective. Explore the impact of assertive communication on midwifery students' mental health. This study analyzes how it enhances resilience and manages academic/clinical stress.

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the influence of assertive communication on the mental health of midwifery students from the perspective of communication psychology. The background of this research was based on the high academic pressure and clinical practice experienced by midwifery students, which often leads to stress, anxiety, and depression. This situation necessitates effective communication strategies to maintain students’ psychological well-being during their studies. Assertive communication is considered one of the strategies that enable individuals to express their thoughts and feelings honestly and openly without harming others. This study employs a qualitative approach using data collection techniques including in-depth interviews, focus group discussions (FGD), participatory observation, and documentation. Participants were purposively sampled from midwifery students at UIN Alauddin Makassar who experienced various academic and clinical pressures. The collected data were analyzed thematically with validation through source triangulation and member checking to ensure the credibility and validity of the findings. The results show that students with passive communication styles tend to experience excessive anxiety and low self-confidence, while aggressive communication styles often trigger interpersonal conflicts that negatively affect psychological conditions. Conversely, students who apply assertive communication demonstrate higher resilience, better management of academic and clinical stress, healthy social relationships, and greater emotional stability. From the perspective of communication psychology, assertive communication functions as a protective mechanism that supports the mental health of midwifery students. This study recommends integrating assertive communication training into the midwifery curriculum as a strategic effort to enhance soft skills and support the psychological well-being of students.

Review

This study meticulously examines the profound impact of assertive communication on the mental health of midwifery students, a demographic particularly vulnerable to high academic and clinical pressures. The authors effectively underscore the prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depression within this group, establishing a clear rationale for investigating communication strategies as a means to foster psychological well-being. Employing a robust qualitative methodology, the research utilizes a comprehensive suite of data collection techniques—in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, participatory observation, and documentation—with thematic analysis rigorously validated through source triangulation and member checking. This methodological rigor strengthens the credibility of the findings within the specified context of UIN Alauddin Makassar. The findings offer compelling insights into the differential effects of communication styles on student mental health. The study elucidates that passive communication tends to correlate with heightened anxiety and diminished self-confidence, while aggressive communication frequently precipitates interpersonal conflicts, negatively impacting psychological states. Conversely, students who practice assertive communication demonstrate remarkable improvements in resilience, more effective management of academic and clinical stressors, the cultivation of healthy social relationships, and greater emotional stability. Framed within a communication psychology perspective, assertive communication emerges as a critical protective mechanism, affirming its pivotal role in supporting the mental health of midwifery students. This research makes a valuable contribution by providing a nuanced, qualitative understanding of how communication skills directly influence the psychological well-being of a highly demanding professional student group. Its strength lies in its in-depth exploration and the clear identification of actionable insights. The recommendation to integrate assertive communication training into the midwifery curriculum is particularly impactful and pragmatic, offering a tangible strategy to enhance students' soft skills and bolster their mental resilience. While the qualitative approach provides rich contextual detail, future studies could build upon these findings with quantitative research to assess generalizability and the efficacy of such interventions across broader populations.

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